Mold Testing Laboratory

Cinnaminson,  NJ, November 9^th, 2017

Last month, the NBC affiliate in Philadelphia broadcasted a story about the temporary closure of an elementary school in New Jersey. The school will reportedly be closed for months to allow for mold removal. Children who attend the school are being taught at other facilities until the job is complete.

According to the station’s report, mold was discovered on ceiling tiles, lockers and throughout classrooms. Parents of students have voiced concerns about health issues and some have suggested all schools in the district should be tested for mold.

Mold is known to produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances known as mycotoxins.  Inhaling and touching mold may cause an allergic reaction in some sensitive individuals. Both dead and alive mold can cause these allergic reactions and they can be immediate or delayed. Allergic responses may include hay fever-like symptoms such as headache, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes. Repeated or a single exposure to mold, mold spores or mold fragments may cause non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive to mold. Repeated exposures have the potential to increase this sensitivity.

“For those who are vulnerable to an asthma attack, exposure to elevated levels of mold can trigger an attack in some people,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Breathing mold may even cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis or HP, a condition that often resembles bacterial pneumonia. Exposure to some types of mold can even result in opportunistic infections in people that have a weakened or suppressed immune system.”

Helping to identify mold and other microbial concerns are the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL operates a network of laboratories throughout the United States and Canada that offer a wide range of IEQ testing services, all of the sampling supplies necessary, easy-to-use test kits, and field instrumentation to test for water damage and moisture that could support mold growth in an indoor environment.

To learn more about mold or other air quality and environmental testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. To view the complete line of indoor environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 40 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.